In the first half of 2014, the No More Casinos Coalition was second only to New York State United Teachers in what it spent on lobbying. The coalition, which was formed by Western Regional Off-Track Betting and Finger Lakes Gaming and Racing, spent $24,000 on compensation for lobbyists and approximately $1.4 million on lobbying expenses, […]
Seneca Nation of Indians
Posted inNews & Opinion
Henrietta board united against casino
The Henrietta Town Board is officially on record opposing a Seneca Nation of Indians in the town. Last night, board members voted 4 to 0 in favor Supervisor Jack Moore’s resolution, stating their opposition. Media reports say approximately 20 people spoke at the meeting, most against the casino. The resolution is available here, starting on page 6. The […]
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Seneca Gaming reps won’t appear at Henrietta meeting
The Seneca Gaming Corporation will not appear at tomorrow’s Henrietta Town Board meeting. The organization, which is the gaming affiliate of the Seneca Nation of Indians, recently purchased a 32-acre property on Clay Road, which it wants to develop for a casino. But Henrietta Supervisor Jack Moore, citing opposition by residents, has said he’ll introduce […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
[UPDATED] Henrietta supervisor officially opposes casino
Henrietta Town Supervisor Jack Moore has come out officially against a Seneca casino in the town. Earlier this week, the Seneca Gaming Corporation, an affiliate of the Seneca Nation of Indians, announced that it had purchased 32 acres on Clay Road for potential casino development. Moore just sent out the following statement, and is holding […]
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Some Henrietta residents really don’t want a casino
By one speaker’s estimate, approximately 120 people packed into a room at Henrietta Town Hall last night in response to a proposed casino in the town. And when the speaker asked how many in attendance support the casino, which would be run by the Seneca Nation of Indians, no hands were raised. During the meeting’s […]
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[UPDATED] Senecas show they’re serious by buying land in Henrietta for a casino
The Seneca Gaming Corporation has acquired a 32-acre property on Clay Road, which runs between Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road and Hylan Drive, in Henrietta for a possible casino. A press release did not disclose what the company, an affiliate of the Seneca Nation of Indians, paid for the property. It did say that the property is […]
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Group pushes back on possible Seneca casino
Former Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson portrays the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls as an island, isolated from the rest of the city. And any development that’s happened in the city because of the casino has happened within the walls of that island, he says. That casino is an apt illustration of how new gaming […]
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NY’s tough call on casinos
This is the beginning of City’s general-election coverage. The coverage continues in the October 16 and October 23 issues. We’ll look at the elections in Greece, Irondequoit, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester, and have special coverage of the Green Party of Monroe County. The general election is Tuesday, November 5. Mayor Tom Richards […]
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Senecas casino announcement: what was the point?
Yesterday’s announcement that the Seneca Nation of Indians is looking at Henrietta as a possible casino site caught a lot of people by surprise, including town officials. Many people are trying to figure out what the nation’s announcement is supposed to accomplish. Last night, I caught a Twitter conversation between WROC reporter Rachel Barnhart and […]
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Casino’s long odds
The Seneca Nation of Indians now has exclusive casino rights in much of New York’s western end, including Rochester. But that doesn’t mean a Seneca-run casino will open here anytime soon. Or ever. The Seneca Nation was granted exclusive rights as part of the resolution of a longstanding dispute with the state over gaming revenues. […]
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Seneca settlement means no private casino for Rochester
If the Rochester area gets a casino, it’ll be operated by the Seneca Nation. Governor Andrew Cuomo has submitted a bill to the Legislature that would allow privately-run casinos in New York. His law would establish six districts across upstate with one casino allowed per district, though only three privately run casinos would be bid […]
